Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has warned his teammates against putting the cart before the horse by chasing a bonus point before securing victory when South Africa take on Italy in a crucial Nations Championship encounter in Turin on Saturday, November 7.
The world champions face Italy at Allianz Stadium at 13:40 South African time, knowing that a convincing victory could strengthen their position in the competition and put pressure on their rivals, New Zealand.
South Africa need a bonus-point victory to increase the pressure on the All Blacks, who face Scotland later on Saturday.
However, Kolisi believes the Springboks must first concentrate on getting the job done against an Italian side playing in front of its home supporters before thinking about the additional points.
The Springboks head into the encounter as the top-ranked team in the world, with New Zealand occupying second place, making Saturday’s fixture another important test of their standing in international rugby.
Italy have continued to develop into a competitive force in international rugby, and the Springboks will be aware that they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
For Kolisi and his teammates, the challenge will be to balance their ambitions in the Nations Championship with the discipline required to overcome a determined home side.
A bonus point would provide a significant boost to South Africa’s campaign, but the captain’s message is clear: winning the match must come before anything else.
The Springboks will therefore be expected to approach the contest with intensity and composure, using their physical strength and experience to put Italy under pressure while remaining focused on the primary objective.
With New Zealand also in action later in the day, South Africa will be hoping to deliver a performance that keeps them firmly in contention in the Nations Championship.